Cait Reilly, a University of Birmingham geology graduate, is currently trying to find work in the museum sector.

The 22-year-old said she had to work for free at a Poundland store for two weeks or risk losing her benefits.

She is seeking a judicial review. Poundland said the scheme is operated in partnership with the government.

Apparently the work was not even related to her career.

When she expressed concerns about the lack of relevance of the scheme to the work she wants to do, she said her Jobcentre Plus adviser had told her participation in the scheme was mandatory and that if she did not comply she would lose her benefits.

She said she spent two weeks cleaning and stacking shelves at the Poundland store in Kings Heath, Birmingham, and was not offered an interview.

“I think it’s a form of manual labour in that they’re forcing people to do jobs that are in no way related to what they want to do and giving them no experience for their careers,” she said.

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